A Thai court has sentenced two Uyghur men, Yusufu Mieraili and Bilal Mohammed, to death for the August 2015 bombing at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, which killed 20 people — including several Chinese nationals — and injured over 100. The court cited premeditated murder and multiple legal violations in issuing the death penalty. The decade-long trial faced delays due to translation issues, the pandemic, and procedural complications. The attack occurred shortly after Thailand’s military government forcibly repatriated over 100 Uyghurs to China, fueling speculation of retaliation. Both defendants deny the charges and plan to appeal. While no group claimed responsibility, security experts suggest the bombing was politically motivated. One source reports a third suspect was later detained, while another highlights Thailand’s continued deportation of Uyghurs, including 40 repatriated the previous year despite UN warnings.

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